Injured man charged after shooting at Winnebago County deputy

ROCKFORD — A 21-year-old Rockford man who reportedly fired Wednesday night at a Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy was charged Thursday with attempted murder.

Anthony Dominguez allegedly fired at Deputy James Abate, who was not struck, after the officer pulled over a white van in the area of Claremont Street and Westmoreland Avenue.

Dominguez was a passenger in the vehicle and fled the van after Abate stopped it. Police suspected an occupant of the van may have been involved in a disorderly conduct incident about 10:45 p.m. in the 500 block of Vincent Avenue.

Abate fired multiple rounds, according to Deputy Chief Dominic Iasparro. Dominguez was hit in the legs and upper shoulder area. He was under guard in a Rockford hospital after surgery Thursday afternoon and will be housed in the Winnebago County Jail, Iasparro said.

Dominguez also has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a street gang member and having no Firearm Owners Identification card.

A second person who fled from the vehicle is identified as Matt Lawrence, 23, who is wanted on an unrelated warrant in Winnebago County for failure to appear in court on a criminal damage to property offense. Two women — the driver and a passenger — were in the front seat of the van and were questioned.

Abate is a five-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department. He is also a member of the SWAT team. Sheriff Richard Meyers said Abate asked to take the day off Thursday and had previously been scheduled to be off the job through Sunday.

“This is not a questionable shooting,” Meyers said.

Anyone with information about where to find Lawrence is asked to call the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department at 815-319-6300 or Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.